Cory Barlog returns to Sony Santa Monica

God of War 2 director returns to work on something "freaking huge".

God of War 2 director Cory Barlog has returned to Sony Santa Monica Studio six years after his departure.

Barlog announced his return as creative director at the studio on the PlayStation Blog, where he is creating something "freaking huge" that "will rock the free world".

"I have worked in many places, with any number of smart people of all disciplines, notoriety and awesomeness," said Barlog, "but nowhere have I encountered so many 'top-of-their-game' people as I have at Sony."

Barlog first left Sony Santa Monica in November 2007 after spending four years at the studio directing God of War 2 and writing and designing the initial concept for God of War 3. He later joined a consultancy company to work on the Mad Max game and served as creative director at KMMIE – possibly working on Whore of the Orient – before moving to Crystal Dynamics to help develop Tomb Raider.

He left Crystal Dynamics in April, his LinkedIn profile states. But what he's returned to work on remains a mystery.

"What am I working on, you ask? Good question," he says. "Sadly, I cannot tell you... yet. But I can say that it is freaking huge, and it will live up to the standards that I helped establish here at SMS. We're putting together a team as I type this, an Ocean's 11 kind of thing.

"We are searching the world high and low for the best of the BEST to come and be on the ground floor of this endeavor [sic]. So, hey, if you are a freaking rock star unafraid to roll your sleeves up and take risks, reading this thinking that your current digs are feeling... well... a bit small, a bit dull and in need of some excitement – you need to contact me at Sony Santa Monica."

Sony Santa Monica is currently expected to be developing an unannounced PlayStation 4 title – but could it be announced during Sony's Gamescom press conference next week?